RICHARD NEAL THEN: 426 lbs.

Two years ago, the Portland, Tenn., native had reached his heaviest weight and even auditioned to be on The Biggest Loser. "I was depressed," says Neal, 28. "I went on a roller coaster at a local theme park and I assumed I could sit down. But it took two people to try and fit me in the seat. There were all these people staring at me so I made it a joke. I was laughing but I was hurting inside. Finally I just went to the bathroom and started crying."